One of the most important parts of your home is your plumbing system but it is often the most ignored too. In fact, most homeowners didn’t talk about their plumbing until it doesn’t function properly. That’s the time they start to check their plumbing system to see where the problem lies. Did you know that not regularly checking your plumbing system can cause you costly repairs and replacements?

The signs can be seen immediately and its effect can be felt all over the house such as clogged pipes, leakages, clogged toilets, and drainage.  Your quality of life will be affected as well. Apart from neglecting our plumbing system at home, we also do some things that can damage it – sometimes, without us knowing.

So, what are these five things that can damage your plumbing at home? The list includes:

• Foreign items that enter toilets

Your toilet is designed to flush waste and water and not garbage such as plastics, makeup remover pads, napkins and tissue papers to name a few. Be careful when flushing items because they can cause a blockage and can pose major problems in the future. 

• Tree roots

The tree roots are one of the biggest threats to your plumbing system at home. Tree roots will always search for water and your underground water pipes are likely the best target. When it does, it will damage your pipes and cause a drainage problem. Make sure not to plant trees in the lateral line or replace small trees at least once every two years.

• Grease

When it comes to your plumbing system, greases are the common culprit for plumbing problems. You might be tempted to pour it down the drain but don’t do it. Throw your grease properly, put it in a glass overnight so it can solidify and then throw it in the garbage the next morning. 

• Liquid drain cleaners

When you have a clogged sink, don’t be tempted to use liquid drain cleaners to quickly get rid of the problem. These cleaners contain harsh chemicals that will cause more serious problems in your plumbing system in the long run. Plus, these cleaners are also bad for the environment.

• Freezing weather

The winter season can be harsh to your plumbing system too. If you live in an area that constantly experiences severe winter conditions, it is advisable that you winterize your home. Exposed pipes can get frozen as the temperature drops. When it happens, frozen pipes can burst and may cause you serious plumbing problems.

Take note of these things that can possibly cause plumbing problems. However, when you notice that your plumbing system is not working properly, it is best to hire a professional plumber to fix the issue. Whether the problem is caused by negligence or natural occurrences that are out of your control, calling the help of an expert is the best option than trying to fix things yourself; you may end up causing more damage.